Delayed diagnosis and treatment of a distal patellar tendon avulsion in an adolescent.

Authors

Gabrielle Allred
Alfonso Arevalo, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Robert Brooks, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dustin Adam Greenhill

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-28-2022

Abstract

Distal patellar tendon avulsions are uncommon. While much is known about proximal patella tendon ruptures, there are very few reports to guide treatment of a patellar tendon disruption near the tibial tuberosity. Moreover, delayed diagnosis and treatment presents additional challenges. We present a distal patellar tendon avulsion in an adolescent whereby diagnosis and treatment were delayed due to a distracting nearby contaminated wound. The tendon was separated from post-traumatic scar then repaired back to its native footprint using suture anchors. This report aims to increase awareness of this rare diagnosis as well as provide details about our chosen treatment and rehabilitation protocol.

Comments

This article was published in BMJ Case Reports, Volume 15, Issue 2.

The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2021-248526.

Copyright © 2022 BMJ Publishing Group Limited.

Publication Title

BMJ Case Reports

Recommended Citation

Allred, Gabrielle; Arevalo, Alfonso; Brooks, Robert; and Greenhill, Dustin Adam, "Delayed diagnosis and treatment of a distal patellar tendon avulsion in an adolescent." (2022). Orthopedic Surgery Resident Research. 57.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/orthopedic_surgery_residents/57

PubMed ID

35228250